“Dark Phoenix” is the twelfth installment in the “X-Men” film series and a direct sequel to 2016’s “X-Men: Apocalypse.” Our J.P. has his thoughts on the Jean Grey-focused story.
“Dark Phoenix”
(20th Century Fox)
- Directed by Simon Kinberg
- Produced by Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker, Lauren Shuler Donner
- Screenplay by Simon Kinberg
- Based on X-Men by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
- Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp and Jessica Chastain
Studio Synopsis:
This is the story of one of the X-Men’s most beloved characters, Jean Grey, as she evolves into the iconic DARK PHOENIX. During a life-threatening rescue mission in space, Jean is hit by a cosmic force that transforms her into one of the most powerful mutants of all. Wrestling with this increasingly unstable power as well as her own personal demons, Jean spirals out of control, tearing the X-Men family apart and threatening to destroy the very fabric of our planet. The film is the most intense and emotional X-Men movie ever made. It is the culmination of 20 years of X-Men movies, as the family of mutants that we’ve come to know and love must face their most devastating enemy yet — one of their own.
J.P.’s Take:
It is said that even heroes have a dark side – from Anakin Skywalker to Wolverine even the ultimate patriot Captain America had once fallen. Jean Grey (“Game of Thrones'” Sophie Turner) joins the line of heroic warriors whom have taken a dive into the abyss of evil. “Dark Phoenix” draws an even more emotional connection to a beloved character, whereas the previous “X-Men” films didn’t necessarily focus on.
Similar in fashion to the 2013 spinoff “The Wolverine,” “Dark Phoenix” mostly plays out like a drama initially. It places Jean square in the spotlight and connecting her disturbed past with her conflicts as a heroine. As she copes with some newly acquired powers, she, too, has a past she can’t escape from. Almost instantly she grabs us and pulls the audience into her world with a story of loss and tragedy. What anchors the tale is the fact that she’s as normal on the outside as any regular human. Jean lives a somewhat normal life as a young woman with a boyfriend, Scott Summers/Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), as she parties has a career and also fears. Yet underneath it all normal, she’ll never be as she’s also a mutant. After she and the X-mutants embark on a rescue mission in space, which goes awry, she is infused with a fierce cosmic force, bringing all her inner conflicts to the forefront.
For fans, they, of course, have come to learn that she has to go to battle with herself, as well as the outside forces that beckon her. This obviously has devastating effects on her loved ones and the pubic she’s vowed to keep safe. Although this is the basic premise of her tale, there are conflicts within conflicts. The moments where her fellow mutants have to make a drastic decision give the story a tad more complexity than first thought. How should they handle such a situation? Should the turn their backs on a family member, whom in many ways seems troubled and is simply taking her anger out on others? Or do they destroy her because she’s evil?
Much of the initial material I felt (if you’re a new viewer) was handled well enough to bring them up to speed. Yet, there were some spots that come off as rushed and not fully realized, especially when boasting female power being the back bone of the mutant resistance. I didn’t see a reason to post such a claim, unless they had material to back it up. Other parts went by so fast you’d forget about what happened as the film chugged on.
The scenes where the villains finally come into view almost seemed like an afterthought, as if they needed something to throw into the mix to justify this being a superhero movie. That’s all well and good until the rest of the movie just becomes a battle-ladened showcase. However, much of superhuman warfare was kept to a minimum, while still keeping the pace of excitement flowing. And even though the entire project came off as pressed for time, I still can’t really bark at the fact that they pulled out some grit to make it live up to its title.
As for the performances:
- I thought Sophie Turner’s performance was consistent with the instances she’s placed in. One moment she’s disturbed, the next she flips the switch and she’s empowered, as if in a constant agitated state. Yet, she stays true to character.
- James McAvoy only adds depth to his well-played version of Professor X/Charles Xavier. Sheridan is the rightful Scott Summers/Cyclops and has chemistry with Turner.
- Kodi Smit-McPhee shares in the limelight a bit as he’s given importance as Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner.
- Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr (a.k.a. Magneto) never fails in the role and is too conflicted as to Jean’s situation.
- Alexandra Shipp once again dons the role of Ororo Munroe/Storm and still gives a true performance.
- Nicholas Hoult is Hank McCoy (a.k.a Beast) adds emotional dynamics to the character. Nice work from him.
- Jennifer Lawrence also displays her motherly side in the role of Raven/Mystique.
- Evan Peters is the unforgettable character Quicksilver / Peter Maximoff, if you’ve watched the newly revised “X-Men” movie series.
- Jessica Chastain also stands out from the crowed as the spooky ghostly Vuk, a shape shifting alien bent on harnessing Jean Grey’s powers for her own evil doings.
Still, I was surprised that it turned out watchable. I believe in the end fans and newcomers alike will be scratching their heads as to what to make of the ending. Is Jean Grey considered a villain or a hero? What will happen to her next? Well, I’m not sure as to the next chapter; however, I feel, for now, this movie is our best bet.
“Dark Phoenix” does give us a deeper view into the life of an evolved heroine and it is slightly darker than the original “X-Men” films. For that, I certainly didn’t hate this film. It’s just that it will leave a question mark.